Magnetic lock with rotatable latching element

ABSTRACT

MAGNETIC LATCHING ELEMENTS IN THE FORM OF ROTATABLE DICES OR CYLINDERS ARE LOCATED IN CHAMBERS FORMED IN THE CORE OF A LOCK, THE DISCS OR CYLINDERS HAVING A DISCONTINUITY WHICH IS ALIGNED EITHER WITH A NOTCH, FORMED ON A MOVABLE PART OF THE CORE, OR IN THE HOUSING, SO THAT, WHEN THE NOTCH AND THE PROJECTION ARE ALIGNED DUE TO THE PRESENCE OF A KEY HAVING ZONES OF MAGNETIZATION WHICH ROTATE THE LATCHING ELEMENTS TO PROPER POSITION, RELATIVE MOVEMENT (ROTATION, OR AXIAL MOVEMENT) OF THE ELEMENT CARRYING THE DISCS, AND THE PROJECTION IS POSSIBLE, THUS   OPERATING A LOCKING ELEMENT OR BOLT. PREFERABLY, A PLURALITY OF DISCS ARE USED AND LOCATED WITH RESPECT TO EACH OTHER IN SUCH A MANNER THAT MUTUAL ATTRACTION OF THE MAGNETIC ZONES OF THE DISCS CAUSED THEIR REMAINING IN A POSITION INHIBITING SUCH MOVEMENT UPON THE ABSENCE OF A KEY.

March 16, 1971 HALLMANN MAGNETIC LOCK WITH ROTATABLE LATCHING ELEMENT Filed Got. 17. 1969 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. BYHERMANN HflZL/VA/VN 1 F QM March 16, 1971 H. HALLMANN MAGNETIC LOCK WITH ROTATABLE LATCHING ELEMENT Filed Oct. 17, 1969 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 5 I! 75 750751.) 4140 I I617 H0120 [2b MAGNETIC LOCK WITH ROTATABLE LATCHING ELEMENT 4 Sheets-Sheet 4:

Filed Oct. 17, 1969 FIGJ30 United States Patent 3,570,287 MAGNETIC LOCK WITH ROTATABLE LATCHING ELEMENT Hermann Hallmann, Cologne, Germany, assignor to Huwil-Werke, Hugo Willach & Siihne, Bezirk, Germany Coutiuuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 569,212, Aug. 1, 1966. This application Oct. 17, 1969, Ser. No. 867,272 Claims priority, application Germany, July 31, 1965, H 56,738; Feb. 3, 1966, H 58,460; Jan. 16, 1969, P 19 01 968.2

Int. Cl. E05b 47/00 U.S. Cl. 70-276 15 'Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Magnetic latching elements in the form of rotatable discs or cylinders are located in chambers formed in the core of a lock, the discs or cylinders having a discontinuity which is aligned either with a notch, formed on a movable part of the core, or in the housing, so that, when the notch and the projection are aligned due to the presence of a key having zones of magnetization which rotate the latching elements to proper position, relative movement (rotation, or axial movement) of the element carrying the discs, and the projection is possible, thus operating a locking element or bolt. Preferably, a plurality of discs are used and located with respect to each other in such a manner that mutual attraction of the magnetic zones of the discs cause their remaining in a position inhibiting such movement upon the absence of a key.

The present invention contains subject matter divided out of application U.S. Ser. No. 569,212, now US. Pat. No. 3,495,425 filed Aug. 1. 1966, and is a continuationin-part thereof.

The present invention relates to a magnetic lock, and more particularly to a cylinder lock containing movable magnetic latch members therein, and in which a core, axially or rotatably movable in a housing, is prevented from so moving by mismatch of a notch (or depression) in a rotatable disc with a matching projection. Only upon presence of a proper key will the rotatable element line up in the proper manner to permit relative movement of the core and the housing.

Magnetic locks having tumblers consisting of magnetic pins, and movable within radial bores within a housing have previously been proposed. In locked, or inhibited position, in which relative movement between the housing and an inner part of the lock is prevented, the magnetic pins span the otherwise relatively movable part and are retained in position by springs or other magnets, closing off the radial bores of the housing. To permit relative movement, a key having zones of magnetization and matching the magnetization of the tumbler elements is inserted, to move the magnetic elements in a position where relative movement is possible. The force required to move the tumblers must overcome the force of the springs, or the magnets in the housing, which requires a substantial magnetic strength in the key itself.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a lock using zones of magnetization impressed on a movable element which is simple, requires low magnetic fields, and can readily be adapted to many different combinations.

SUBJECT MATTER OF THE PRESENT INVENTION Briefly, latching elements having zones of magnetization impressed thereon are located in chambers within the lock and mounted to be rotatable. These magnetic latching elements may be discs, cylindrical bodies or the like and turning about an axis. The side facing the key is formed with zones of magnetization, permanently magnetized. The proper key for the lock has similar zones of magnetization so that, when the key is associated with the lock (for example inserted against a keyway or pressed against a face thereof), the rotatable latch elements will turn to assume a predetermined operating position. When the key is removed, the latching elements again rotate into a locked or inoperative position. The latching element itself is formed with a surface dis continuity, preferably a notch, which engages a matching member, e.g. a projecting nose in the lock, in such a manner that only when the discontinuity and the projection match, that is when the rotatable elements are in a predetermined position, relative movement of the locking element is possible.

In one form of the invention, the rotatable elements are cylindrical discs, rotating about axes extending at right angles to the lengthwise axis of the lock. Preferably, at least two such latching elements are used, located on either side of a keyway or a key application surface.

The invention will be described by Way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view, to an enlarged scale, of a lock, the left portion illustrating the position of the latching elements with a key having zones of magnetization matching those of the latching elements, and the right portion with a latching element whose zones of magnetization do not match those of the opposite region of the key;

FIG. 2 is an end view, half in cross-section, along line II-II of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3, in a reduced scale, is an illustration of a key from one side;

FIG. 4 is the key of FIG. 3 reversed;

FIG. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view of a diffeernt embodiment of the lock with a key removed;

FIG. 6 is a similar view to FIG. 5, with the proper key inserted;

FIG. 7 is an end view, half in section, along line VII-VII of FIG. 6 with key removed;

FIG. 8 is a view of a key useable with the lock of FIGS. 5 and 6;

FIG. 9 is a longitudinal sectional view of another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view along line XX of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a view of the lock of FIG. 9 in operated condition, with a key applied;

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view along line XII-XII of FIG. 11; 1

FIG. 13a is a longitudinal view of another embodiment of the present invention utilizing an intermediate cylinder; and

FIG. 13]) is an end view, half of it in section along line XIII-XIII of FIG. 13a.

EMBODIMENTS OF FIGS. l-4

A housing 1 is provided, shown schematically only, and supplied wtih the usual threads or other devices for securing the housing to a door or othe panel to be locked. Housing 1 retains a core 2 therein, inserted from behind (that is the locking end thereof) and rotatably securing the core. The locking end of the housing is then closed off by a back unit 1a. Core 2 has an extension piece 2a which passes through the back 1a and carries a locking element, or bail 2b in order to operate the lock or lock mechanism. The front of core 2 is formed with a keyhole 2c adapted to receive a key 3. Parallel to keyhole 2c are a pair of chambers 2d which receive latch members 4. Latch members 4 are cylindrical bodies being supplied with permanently magnetized magnetic units 4a, 4b. One end face of latch element 4, that is the left one in FIG. 2, is spherical, and is formed with a central slot 40, and with a marginal groove 4d, extending essentially all around the margin, but leaving a pair of projections 4a, which limit the rotary motion of the latch to an angle slightly less than 90 from a central position. The inner surface 1c of the housing hs reliefs 1d into which the latch member extends so that they can rotate within housing 1. The inner surface is further formed with riblike projections 1b, located so as to cooperate with the slots 40 of the latch members. Latch members 4 can turn to the right or to the left (FIG. 1) until stops 4e hit against ribs 1b. In order to simplify rotation, the core 2 has spherical projections 2e at the surface facing latch members 4.

Key 3 (FIGS. 3 and 4) has a pair of adjacent, semicircular magnets 3a, 3b on one side, and a pair of adjacent semi-circular magnets 30, 3d on the other (FIG. 4). These magnets are so arranged that the magnets on both sides interact to form a complete circle. They are arranged to be opposite to the magnets 4a, 4b when the key is inserted into the lock. The magnets within the key are so poled that, when the key 3 is inserted, all latch members are attracted and rotated into the position in which the slot 40 is exactly opposite ribs 1b within the housing-see left portion of illustration of FIG. 1. If the key is the proper one for the lock, and all latch members are so rotated, it can readily beseen that core 2 can then rotate within the housing, operating latch member 2b. When the key is pulled out of the lock, the latch members 4 rotate and follow the magnetic fields of the key, until stops 4c are against the inner ribs. They are held in this position by mutual repulsion. This changes the position of ribs 1b with respect to slots 4c and inhibits rotation of the core with respect to the housing.

Key 3 has a projection, or nose 30, to enter through a notch 1e into the housing, and match with notch 21 in the core cylinder. This ensures that the key can be removed only when the lock is in a position in which core and housing slots 2], 1e are aligned.

The embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 4 thus provides a lock in which the magnetic elements themselves are not used to effect the locking actionit is the latch 4 which cannot rotate with respect to the housing, unless the slot 4c is aligned with the housing projections 1b. No stress is thus placed on the magnetic material which may be brittle. Additionally, motion of the magnetic material is rotary and independent of any springs, gravity, or other magnets.

The magnetic elements 4a, 4b, may have zones of magnetization impressed thereon which are independently operable; for example, the keys may have additional magnetic zones impressed thereon in the other half circles, so that magnetic elements 4b can cause rotation of the entire latch mechanism, as well as magnetic elements 4a, each one of them activated independently. The coding of the zones of magnetization cooperating with magnetic elements 4a may thus relate to the coding of individual keys, and the coding of the zones of magnetization of element 4b may relate to a master key. Of course, more than two latch elements may be provided axially aligned. Additionally, the latch elements may be arranged in pairs, one on each side of the key way 2c, and responsive to zones of magnetization at opposite sides of the key.

EMBODIMENT OF FIGS. 5 TO 8 Housing 11 retains a rotatable core 12 into which a coupling element is inserted. Rotatable latch elements 14 are located in the chamber in core 12. The assembly of core 12, locking elements 14 and coupling element 15 is inserted into the housing 11 from behind, the housing then being closed off by a cap 11a. The front of the coupling element 15 has a transverse slot therethrough to receive a key 13. The rear of element 15 has two pins 15a projecting therefrom, and further a pair of noses, or projections 15b. Pins 15a extend into bores 12e of the core 12. The length of the pins 15a is the same as the length of the core. The pins cooperate with locking tumbler elements 16, retained in bores 11a of the housing cap 11a, and pressed towards the front of the lock by tumbler springs 17.

Core 12 is formed adjacent key way with chambers 12d, on either side of the key way, to retain the rotary magnetic elements 14, formed as discs, and rotatable about axes which are perpendicular to the longitudinal extent, or axis, of the lock. The magnetic elements 14 have their poles arranged at the edge, as seen at 14a (FIGS. 5 and 6). The discs are additionally provided with a notch matching the projecting nose 15b on the coupling element. Core 12 has a projecting portion 12a extending through the cap of the housing, to which locking ball, or latch element 12b is secured.

The key 13 is formed with zones of magnetization matching the zones of magnetization on discs 14, but having opposite polarity. Upon insertion of the key 13 into key way 120, the discs will rotate to align South to North, rotating discs 14 to come into the predetermined position in which projection 15b on the coupling element 15 will match notch 14c. The front portion of the coupling element may then be depressed, for example by pushing in on the key, or on the front portion itself, so that pins 15a will become flush with the end of the core 12, depressing tumbler pins 16 against springs 17 and permitting core 12, and with it latch member 12b to rotate.

It is seen that the magnetic elements, themselves, do not effect any direct locking functions, but merely move the latch member 14 into position permitting the lock to be operated. Thus, no strain is placed on the magnetic elements themselves. If the key is removed after having been inserted in the lock, the zones of magnetization on latch member 14 will follow the zones of magnetization 13a on the key, causing rotation of latch element 14 so that notch 140 can no longer accept projection 15b (see FIG. 5).

EMBODIMENT OF FIGS. 9 TO 12 Housing 21 has a core 22 inserted therein from the front. The cap 21a may be integral with the cylindrical portion of the housing. Core 22 is held in projecting position from the housing by a spring 27, and prevented from removal from the housing by a pin 22 in a notch 210 formed in the housing surface. Other means of retaining the core may, of course, be used. The core is formed at its front face with a key receiving surface 220. Chamber 22d to hold the latch members 24 is arranged immediately behind the key receiving surface 220. A projection, or cam member 22b extends through the rear wall 21a of the housing, and moves lengthwise of the lock together with motion of the core 22. Core 22 has a central hole 22g, into which a bolt 21b extending from the end cap 21a of the housing fits.

Two latch elements 24 are located in the chamber. They are rotatable about sub shafts, 24b, parallel to the main axis of the lock and fitting into bores 22e of core 22. The latch elements are discs having circular cut-outs 240 (FIG. 10) when moved into the operating position (FIG. 11) permit bolt 21d extending from the housing to pass through the cut-outs (see FIG. 12) and thus permit the core to be moved axially (FIG. 11). The latch elements 24 have magnets 24a applied thereto, and having zones of magnetization arranged thereon in such a manner that the poles are outside of a central region thereof. When the key 23, which may be a flat disc element with a small handle attached, is placed against the outer key-receiving surface 22c of the core, the zones of magnetization, or actual magnetic inserts 23a in the key will rotate latch elements 24 to the position shown in FIG. 12 and thus permit operation of the lock. When the key is removed, the disc-like latch elements will rotate with respect to each other by mutual attraction of unlike poles which will be closer together in positions where the cut-outs are removed from their opposed locations (FIG. 12) so that, upon removal of the key, the position of the magnetic elements will be as seen in FIG. 10. The magnetic elements are preferably surrounded by a housing of material having suflicient mechanical strength to inhibit axial movement upon application of excessive force. As can be seen, the magnetic element, itself, by its motion only permits placing the latch element 24 into a position in which relative locking motion of the lock becomes possible, but does not, itself, inhibit operation of the lock in the absence of a key.

EMBODIMENT OF FIG. 13

A key 33 is insertable in a key way formed in a core, or inner, or key cylinder 32. In this embodiment, the core does not directly transmit rotation to a locking bail, or locking element, but rather an intermediate or coupling cylinder 37 is provided so that, when the key is removed, the core itself may move freely in the lock independently of any connection to the locking element or bail. The intermediate cylinder 37 is located in axial alignment behind core 32. An outer housing 31, having an end piece 31a surrounds the entire assembly. The intermediate cylinder 37 is connected to locking element 37b for example by a removable pin, only schematically indicated. Core 32 is formed internally thereof with a pair of chambers 32d, in each of which a locking element 34, in disc form, is rotatably journalled. Each one of the discs 34 is formed with a surface discontinuity, shown as a notch or recess 34c (FIG. 13a). The discs are supplied with zones of magnetization, or permanent magnets, as seen in FIG. 13, so that a pattern of predetermined magnetization 34a will appear thereon. A coupling element 35 is arranged immediately inside the housing 31 and formed with an opening matching the key way. Coupling element 35 is axially slidable within housing 31 and normally projects outside thereof to form an operating handle 35c. The rear portion of coupling element 35 is provided with a projection 35b matching the depression 340 in disc 34 if, and only if, disc 34 is rotated to be in proper position to permit the lock to be operated. The coupling element 35 is further provided With operating pins 35a extending towards the rear of the lock and adapted to engage in matching holes 370 formed in intermediate cylinder 37.

Key 33 is provided with magnets, or with zones of magnetic orientation which match the magnetization of the disc 34, as best seen in FIG. 13a.

When a key 33 is inserted ,in the key way, the zones of magnetization on the key will rotate disc 34, until the magnets on the key will match the magnets on the disc. If the proper key has been inserted, recess 340 will now match the projection 35b of the operating or coupling member 35. The operating or coupling member 35 can then be pressed inwardly by means of handle projection 35c, causing engagement of pin 35a with holes 370 of the intermediate cylinder 37, and rotation of locking element 37b upon rotation of key 33. When coupling member 35 is pulled outwardly, pins 35a disengage from holes 370 and projection 35b disengages from notch 340 in discs 34. As the key is removed, travel of the key outwardly will cause rotation of the disc 34 to bring the normal, round surface of the disc 34 opposite projection 35b, thus pre venting operation of coupling member 35 and engagement with the intermediate cylinder 37. The magnets of both discs, that is the discs on opposite sides of the key way, will attract (or repel) each other and will retain the discs in their rotated position.

If desired, a spring can be interposed between the coupling member 35 and core 32, or springs can be placed into holes 37c of the intermediate cylinder 37 to provide for automatic uncoupling of the coupling member 35 when not manually pressed against the spring.

Upon absence of the proper key, transmission of rotary motion from core 36 to intermediate the cylinder 37, and hence to locking bail 37b is broken. Core 36 can spin freely in housing 31, even if coupling member 35 is pressed thereagainst.

I claim:

1. Magnetic lock for use with a key (3) having zones of magnetization impressed thereon, said lock having a key-receiving end and a locking end; a housing (1, 11, 21, 31);

a locking member (2b, 12b, 22b, 37b) located at the locking end;

a core (2, 12, 22, 32) movable in said housing, said core having means to receive said key adjacent the key-receiving end of the lock, and means operating said locking member at the other end thereof; and

magnetic latching means (4, 14, 24, 34) located in the lock to be influenced by the zones of magnetization of the key and movable between a rest position and an operated position,

characterized in that said magnetic latching means are rotatable elements having zones of magnetization (4a, 14a, 24a, 34a) impressed thereon, rotating about an axis; and said core is formed with internal chambers (2d, 12d, 22a, 32d), housing said magnetic latching means, the magnetization of said magnetic latching means causing rotation thereof when influenced by the zones of magnetization of the proper key.

2. Lock according to claim 1 wherein said magnetic latching means comprises at least one disc located in said chamber having Zones of magnetization impressed thereon in a selected pattern, said disc having a surface discontinuity formed thereon and presenting said discontinuity in a predetermined position within the lock when the disc is rotated under influence of the zones of magnetization of the proper key.

3. Lock according to claim 1, wherein the lock is a cylinder lock and said latching means (FIGS. 1 to 8; 4, 14) are rotatable about an axis transverse to the axis of the lock cylinder.

4. Lock according to claim 1, wherein said latching means (FIGS. 1 to 4) are cylindrical elements having zones of magnetization at one end face, the other end face of said cylinder element being formed with a groove projecting means (1b) projecting internally of said housing towards said cylindrical element, said projecting means fitting within said groove when the cylindrical element is turned into alignment therewith upon presence of a key influencing the zones of magnetization of said cylindrical element.

5. Lock according to claim 4, wherein the other face of the cylindrical element has a spherical portion, said groove being cut into the spherical portion.

6. Lock according to claim 1, wherein said lock has a longitudinal axis, and said latching means (FIGS. 5 to 8: 13) are a disc (14, 34) having zones of magnetization applied thereto and formed with a surface recess (14c, 340);

said core (15, 35) being axially movable and formed with a projection (15b, 35b) matching said recess and having projecting pins (15a, 35a).

7. Lock according to claim 6, including bores formed at the locking end of the housing (FIGS. 5 to 8: 11) aligned with said projecting pins; and

tumbler pins (16) located in said bores, said tumbler pins aligning with the inner surface of the locking end of the housing when said core is moved axially in engagement of the projection into the recesses of the disc.

8. Lock according to claim 6, including a locking element (FIG. 13: 37b);

an intermediate cylinder (37) located in said housing,

said intermediate cylinder being secured to the looking element and formed with a recess (370) matching the position of the projecting pins (35a) to permit engagement of said pins with said intermediate cylinder upon engagement of the projection into the recess of the disc. 9. Lock according to claim 1, wherein said core comprises a fixed element (FIGS. 9 to 12: 21b) secured to said housing and a movable element (22) slidable lengthwise of said lock with respect to said fixed element;

said chamber (22d) being formed in one of said elements;

said magnetic latching means comprising at least one cylindrical body (24) having zones of magnetization (24a) applied thereto and being rotatable about an axis parallel to the direction of relative sliding motion and secured to one of said elements;

said cylindrical body being formed with a recess in the cylindrical surface thereof, said recess matching the outer surface of the other of said elements when the cylindrical body is rotated into lock operating position upon presence of the proper key.

10. Lock according to claim 9, wherein a plurality of cylindrical bodies are provided, located adjacent the key-receiving end of the housing and parallel thereto.

11. Lock according to claim 1, wherein at least two magnetic latching means are provided, located within the lock and within each others magnetic field upon absence of a proper key whereby, upon said absence of a proper key, the magnetic interaction of the zones of magnetization of the latching means retains said latching means in a predetermined position.

12. Lock according to claim 11, wherein said lock is formed with a key way;

said latching means are a pair of discs located at opposite sides of said key way, the discs, in the absence of a proper key, maintaining their relative positions by mutual magnetic attraction.

13. Lock according to claim 1, including means in said lock acting on the magnetic field emanating from the zones of magnetization to retain said latching means, in the absence of a proper key, in predetermined position.

14. Lock according to claim 1, wherein said latching means are cylindrical bodies carrying a first array of zones of magnetization in a surface region tof a half-sector of said body, and a second array on the other half-sector, whereby each half-sector may be influenced by a separate key.

15. Lock according to claim 1, wherein said lock includes a spherical projection extending into the chamber and bearing against the center of said latching means in the region of the axis of rotation thereof.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,455,138 5/1923 Habenicht -365 2,023,847 12/1935 Liss 70-362 2,767,278 10/1956 Collins 200-87 3,056,276 10/ 1962 Allander 70276 MARVIN A. CHAMPION, Primary Examiner R. L. WOLFE, Assistant Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 70-365, 413 

